First schools install Great British Energy solar panels

The first 11 schools across the country to install new Great British Energy solar panels are set to save £175,000 per year, following the government’s £180m funding to cut bills for schools and hospitals.

The savings will be reinvested in schools as part of the government’s Plan for Change to fix public services whilst providing clean power for pupils and teachers.

The Department for Education (DfE) said pupils across the country will benefit from more money for textbooks and teachers, as the first schools are announced in Great British Energy’s rooftop solar rollout.

The remaining schools set to benefit will be announced this summer, with all schools that are part of the scheme expected to have solar panels installed by the end of the year. 

In England, around £80m is supporting around 200 schools to install rooftop solar panels that could power classrooms and operations, while giving them the potential to sell leftover energy back to the grid. 

It comes as schools have been hit with “rocketing” energy bills in recent years, costing taxpayers millions of pounds, and eating into school budgets. 

Currently only about 20% of schools have solar panels installed, but estimates suggest that on average, a typical school could save up to £25,000 per year if they had solar panels with complementary technologies installed such as batteries. 

Energy minister Michael Shanks said: “Solar panels on school rooftops mean energy bills are cut and money can be invested directly into improving young people’s education while helping to tackle climate change for the next generation.

“Great British Energy is delivering rooftop solar as part of our Plan for Change that will support communities for generations to come, relieving pressures on our vital public services and ensuring investment is made in the future of our young people.”

Great British Energy chair Juergen Maier said: “Within two months we are seeing schools supported by our scheme having solar panels installed so they can start reaping the rewards of clean energy – opening up the opportunity for more money to be spent on our children rather than energy bills.

“By partnering with the public sector as we scale up the company, we will continue to make an immediate impact as we work to roll out clean, homegrown energy projects, crowd in investment and create job opportunities across the country.”

Education minister Stephen Morgan added: “Through our Plan for Change, this government is supporting schools to save schools thousands on their bills so they can reinvest money saved into ensuring every child gets the best start in life. The installation of solar panels will also help pupils to develop green skills, promoting careers in renewables and supporting growth in the clean energy workforce.”